Gordon Parks school must prove it merits staying open

Gordon Parks Elementary School is seeking a second chance to prove it has the educational firepower to benefit the low-income children. It now has to show it has the juice to make the turnaround a reality.

Gordon Parks Elementary School won a reprieve Tuesday in Cole County Circuit Court from a state order to abruptly close this week.

Judge Daniel R. Green is enabling students and teachers to finish the school year, which ends in late June. A court hearing is set for July 26 during which the school will request a permanent injunction barring the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education from closing the charter school at 3715 Wyoming St.

The judge’s order was rightfully cheered at Gordon Parks on Tuesday. But now to stay open, the school will have to redouble its efforts to elevate the children’s reading and math scores to acceptable levels.

The school is seeking a second chance to prove it has the educational firepower to benefit the low-income children. It now has to show it has the juice to make the turnaround a reality.